Friday, May 29, 2015

One of my favourite things about the internet is that information is so easy to find. Except today. Today I was having trouble with one of my 5 sewing machines.
My Elna home coverstitch machine can use up to 3 needles side by side, but I usually only use 2. Trying to turn a couple corners on a pointed hem detail that is about a 70 degrees, I realized I've only really used this machine for a year. I was having trouble with bunching fabric and stitch overlaps. I decided to seek help on the internet and got nothing back.
In the end I went old school and dug out a couple sewing books. From there it was scrap material and a whole lot of practice. Just like the old days.

I forgot to get a picture of my final project before it left the house, but may write a couple tutorials myself in the next year or two. Until then, practice, practice, practice.

Do you like trying new techniques? I definitely thought about changing the detail to a normal straight line but I'm glad I stuck with the practicing.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

I'm a little outside Sew Mama Sew's guidelines for shipping my prize, but its in the mail now and that's what counts.

Thank you everyone for visiting my blog during Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day. It was nice to see my stats improve over the weekend.

Congratulations to Despina Veneti from France who will have a new tea cozy from me.

I have the next giveaway day marked in my calendar and am already thinking of what I might make.

When I run future contests I think I will investigate contest widgets where a machine on the interwebs can pick a random comment. I'm still small enough that we wrote names on paper and pulled from a hat.

Saturday, May 16, 2015

Most anyone who sews will tell you, double check your details. When you are sewing many layers together, take that extra moment to double check you have everything in correctly.

I recently was making a few toiletry bags using a tutorial from SoChick (you have to have a login to craftsy for the freebie, but it's worth it). One of the steps in the tutorial even reminds you to check that you have your tab in correctly before you sew it in. Well when I was turning the bag the right side out at the end.

This is what I'd done.

The other side was fine though, so only one bit of stitch ripping required.

Looks like I need to spend some time with my camera settings, but you get the idea.

Friday, May 8, 2015

This is a magazine from the 70's that featured a basket weave sleeve. They recommend velvet jersey to obtain the same look as theirs.

My WTF is that these magazines just assumed you know what you're up to for making a sleeve. There are detailed instructions for making the basket woven jersey, but they think you know the sleeve shape and sewing directions for long-sleeved shirt.

I read a few craft magazines and even the ones aimed for intermediate to advanced sewers/crafters don't just offer a diagram of a new technique and leave it at that.
There is an article accompanying the diagram tutorial, but it doesn't discuss how much extra yardage you need for this look.

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

I'm super excited to participate in the Sew Mama Sew giveaway day this year.

Welcome new visitors, I've looked at my stats, you are all new visitors.

Today's post is all business, my contest is open to everyone, I will ship internationally. One random selected comment will be the proud new owner of a Monster Tea Cosy. See my post "something slightly different" for more information on this whimsical guy. He is pretty small, made for a 2-4 cup tea pot.

I post about crafts, I sew, knit, crochet, chain maille and bake. What is your favourite craft to do?

If you don't want to wait to win one I have one for sale on my Etsy site already.

This contest is open to everyone, please be sure to leave your email in the comments below so I can contact you.

Sunday, May 3, 2015

I have been a little busy the last little while, but I found some time to search out an old pattern book.
The book is Beehive Toys and Novelties, it may actually be a Canadian magazine. I couldn't find the copyright details but it only cost 50 cents to the original owner.

With these older patterns I was able to create something I've been thinking about for a while. Wouldn't it be great if your Tea Cozy was a warm little monster, and your teapot's spout was their nose? In the book I'm using there are 3 more styles of tea cozy for me to try and monster up.

Yup, I've been knitting up some traditional tea cozies and then adding felt eyes and mouths to make them Tea Monsters. I'm gonna see if the world wants to buy them here.

So far my Facebook friends seem to like them and one has been gifted away to a happy home already.

About Me

Living Fabric is an idea I have of keeping fabric alive. I try to use up all my scraps that are 4" square and bigger.
It turns out I find quilting a level of insanity that I can't fathom. I have a couple more online classes to try, but I am a clothing and small project sewer.